The Yankees and Red Sox top the list of teams who could be aggressive this offseason, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Yankees might not be heavily involved with the free agent market, but they could pursue any number of trades, particularly now that their deal for Aaron Hicks, which made it possible for them to deal Brett Gardner. The Sox, meanwhile, have already traded for Craig Kimbrel and could top that move with an even bigger one for a top starting pitcher. Here are more quick notes from the AL.
- The Royals and other teams have already shown interest in free agent righty reliever Blaine Boyer, but Boyer remains interested in returning to the Twins, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press writes. “I think I showed this year, and really my whole career, that I can step in for the eighth inning or the seventh inning,” Boyer says. “I can also go long. I pride myself on being a multi-role bullpen piece. I think they know that, and I conveyed that to [Twins manager Paul Molitor].” Boyer was a valuable part of the Twins’ bullpen last year, posting a 2.49 ERA and 2.6 BB/9 over 65 innings, albeit with a very low 4.6 K/9.
- The Orioles did not win the rights to negotiate with Nexen Heroes slugger Byung-ho Park, but another KBO player, Ah-seop Son, might be a better fit for them, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun writes. The Orioles can use an outfielder who can hit leadoff, and Son fits the bill — he has a .398 on-base percentage in nine seasons with the Lotte Giants, and he’s been favorably compared to Nori Aoki, in whom the Orioles have previously had at least some interest. Son will be posted tomorrow.
Yanks should dangle Mateo… I hear he fetches a lot.
I’m open to it. What do you think they could acquire?
Bailey from the Reds.
why the hell would you want bailey? his contract sucks and hes been hurt….
They would be able to give up a lot less for Bailey. Even if the Reds give salary support he probably wouldn’t cost much more than Luis Torrens or jake Cave
Lol bailey would fetch at best a bag of beans. On a bad contract and too many injuries.
Mateo for Bailey. That would be like Bryant for Sabathia
He could probably fetch someone in the Quintana range. I wish they would’ve tried for Ozuna instead of Aaron Hicks, he has shown more potential. I’m thinking they may use Gardner and two top 30 prospects to get Taijuan Walker
Wait… you think Mateo gets you Quintana? Yea…no….
Quintana is more in Gardner range.
New York intrigues me this offseason. Everyone knew DD would grab headlines with the big splashes, but Cash has been under pressure to get under the luxury tax, and that is what makes this situation fun to watch. I could see them trading Gardner to fill other needs and then using the freed up cash to get a 2B option. NY will have to do something to stay competitive for next year, and it’s going to be entertaining to see how
2B is fine for the Yankees. Ackley looked great for them in the second half and Ref has always been able to hit and the best part is that one’s lefty and one’s righty. That’s the makings of a fairly effective platoon. They’re not stars, mind you, I’m not getting carried away or anything, but I think Ref against lefties and Ack against righties can be at least average or above average next year.
I think total they have something like 1 war. Id look for them to ink Murphy, though perhaps too obvious a fit?
Why the hell would they want Murphy. He is a league average player who had a good postseason in a contract year. They should at least be willing to give Ref/Ackley spring training or the first half of the season to show what they got, signing Murphy is a panic move.
Personally I think they’ll trade for Phillips on the Reds as insurance for Refsnyder. Phillips isn’t the player he once was, but can provide some veteran leadership and some speed on the bases. He also can coach Refsnyder on defense too. Given his contract he won’t cost the Yankees very much either.
I watched Ackley play, have not seen much of Ref but have read many reports claiming he can hit pretty well, but can’t field at all. I honestly pointed out 2B because it is the only position the team currently has without a highly paid or long term piece, improvements can obviously go to a corner outfield spot or the rotation as well
Ref is still young so he has the ability to be a long term piece. Worse case scenario is he’s a platoon guy. Just because they’re not paying some guy huge money doesn’t mean that its a weakness.
Obviously not, but after years of watching Ackley underperform and reading all reports on Ref that indicate he is an above average bat with average power and speed for the position, and his defense is below average, that profiles as a solid bench bat or platoon. Am I seriously wrong for suggesting an upgrade at 1 of their 2 weakest positions?
No but they should spend any money they do have on their rotation when their 2b platoon should be passable. They had stephen drew playing there the last two years, I can’t imagine Ref/Ackley being worse than him. They still have Mateo who could always play shortstop (and move Didi to second) or play second (whoever is better defensively). Give ackley/ref a chance to prove themselves. If they play bad they can always trade for a 2b instead of signing one to a long term deal. If they really felt 2b was a position of need they would be better off waiting til next offseason when arod, tex and beltran come off the books.
Or a backloaded 3 year deal to Zobrist? It effectively accomplishes the same thing, provides versatility and covers for the potential black hole that could be 2B…
The AAV is the only thing that matters for the Luxury Tax, so back loading a deal doesn’t help the Yankees.
Not a bad idea. Although since this is probably his last chance at a big deal he might ask for a 4-5 year deal so a 3 year might only work if the aav is high.
I don’t see the Yankees trying to sign a 2b. If they decide they need help at that position if see them trading for one. But I don’t think that is likely either. The Yankees have had high hopes for ref and I think they will at least give him a chance this year before making a decision that can cost them millions.
The only problem with the Yankees waiting till next offseason to look into 2B is that it’s going to be a weak market. The only players worth noting are prado and Justin turner, valbuena and Neil walker. They’ll be over 30 and that’s even if they’ll all be available. I can’t see the Yankees spending money on aging players anymore. They seemingly got burned on headleys contract, and he was the best available 3B. If headley bounces back then it might help them open the checkbook a little on an aging 2B.
Ackley was a NEGATIVE 0.6 fWAR last season. That is no where near good.
Which was mainly a result of his days in Seattle. He batted a little better in New York and a longer change of scenary (more than that short span he spent last year with the yankees) might be better. Not saying he’s going to be a Pedroia or Zobrist or Cano but he’s passable for some time. Signing someone would be a sign of panic.
If anything they’ll use the freed up cash to get Chen.
I’d like to see Duquette sign Aoki. Always liked him, he’s been consistently undervalued since coming ver to MLB and can be had (probably) for a lot less than a return of Parra, plus put up same numbers. Hope they do approach him.
I also think Aoki makes a lot of sense for Baltimore. If they want to contend they should probably add one more impact bat in the outfield however.
The Yankees have to put a focus on a new core of young players. I’m not saying another core four but they need new young talent. The Yankees have to stop spending so much on old players like Beltran and start focusing on remaining a young team. The last time the Yankees had that motivation was in the 90s and that’s what led them to 5 championships. They have to keep on to top overall prospects like severino and ref Sanchez and judge but other guys like Mateo who are top prospects for the Yankees are not top prospects for a lot of other teams. If they can get anything solid for guys like him they have to take advantage of it.
As much as this kind of makes me sick to write, Drew hit more homers than any other second basemen and he is a slick fielder. We know he likes to bat below the Mendoza line but who else can the Yankees sign for a 1 yr deal at less then 5 mil while they settle ryfsneider in with or without Ackley. He’s a much better fielder then even zobrist and has more pop then him, and he is also a much better fielder then Murphy and again, way more pop.
Umm. Kinsler Murphy, Odor, Russel and Kipnis are examples off the top of my head that hit more HRs than Drew. Drew is a terrible hitter and I would want nearly any other 2nd baseman on my team. Drew is slightly below average at best